Blowers Vibration Monitoring & Analysis

Technical Considerations

• Advanced Wireless Connectivity: The AirVibe's use of the LoRaWAN Protocol enables long-range, wireless data transmission, up to 10 miles with line of sight and 1 mile without. This feature is particularly valuable for blowers situated in expansive industrial complexes or hard-to-reach areas.
• Enhanced Battery Life: The design of the AirVibe, which separates the battery from the heat source, extends the battery life to over 4 years. This is a significant advantage, reducing the need for frequent maintenance checks and battery replacements.
• Real-Time Data Transmission: Continuous data transmission capabilities ensure real-time monitoring of blowers, allowing for immediate identification and response to potential issues or anomalies.
• Integration with TriVibe Technology: Building on the TriVibe technology, the AirVibe sensor ensures high-resolution vibration data and customizable output, essential for detailed analysis of blower performance.

Financial Considerations

• Minimizing Downtime Costs: The ability of the AirVibe sensor to provide real-time data enables predictive maintenance, significantly reducing the likelihood of unscheduled downtimes, which are often costly in terms of both repairs and lost productivity.
• Operational Savings: The long battery life and wireless nature of the sensor reduce the need for routine maintenance interventions, translating into long-term operational savings.
• Cost-Effective Installation: The wireless, long-range capabilities of the AirVibe sensor allow for flexible and less intrusive installation, especially beneficial for blowers located in remote or difficult-to-access areas, leading to reduced initial installation costs.
• Preventing Expensive Failures: The most common vibration-related failures in blowers typically stem from issues that affect the balance, alignment, bearings, or aerodynamic disturbances. 

• Imbalance: Imbalance is one of the most frequent causes of excessive vibration in blowers. It occurs when the blower's rotor mass distribution is uneven, causing uneven rotational forces. This can result from accumulated dust or debris, erosion, or wear and tear of the blower blades or impellers.
• Misalignment: Misalignment happens when the motor and blower shafts are not properly aligned. This can be due to improper installation, thermal expansion, or settling of the foundation. Misalignment leads to uneven distribution of forces along the shaft, causing excessive vibration and potentially leading to premature wear of bearings and seals.
• Bearing Failures: Bearings are critical components in blowers, and their failure can cause significant vibration issues. Bearing failures might be due to inadequate lubrication, overloading, corrosion, or wear from prolonged use. Bearing defects typically produce very distinct vibration frequencies which can be identified through vibration analysis.
• Aerodynamic Issues: Problems with the airflow, such as flow turbulence, can also cause vibration. This might be due to system resistance changes, ductwork issues, or improper fan speed. Aerodynamic disturbances can create fluctuating forces on the blower impeller, leading to vibration.
• Loose Components: Over time, components of the blower system such as bolts, mounts, or couplings may become loose. Loose components can lead to erratic movements and vibrations.
• Resonance: Resonance occurs when the natural frequency of a component or system aligns with an excitation frequency. In blowers, this can lead to excessive vibration if the operational speed is close to the system’s natural frequency.
• Wear and Tear: General wear and tear over time can lead to the degradation of blower components. This deterioration can change the dynamics of the blower, leading to unusual vibration patterns.
• Electrical Issues in Motor: Electrical problems in the motor, such as imbalanced voltages or insulation failures, can also manifest as mechanical vibrations. Detecting and diagnosing these vibration issues early, through methods such as regular vibration monitoring and analysis, is key to maintaining the health and efficiency of blower systems.

Conclusion